Importance of Omega 3
Put simply, omega-3
fatty acids are a form of
polyunsaturated fat.
Polyunsaturated fats, according
to the Mayo, have the ability to
reduce the
likelihood of irregular heart
rhythms. This translates
into a reduced risk of cardiac
death.
Omega-3 fatty acids
also ensure that we have
lower levels of triglycerides
and it helps regulate our blood
pressure.
Best Source of Omega 3
Cold water fish is the
best source of omega-3.
Examples are salmon, tuna,
mackerel, anchovies and sardines
- any fish that is said to be
"oily." The problem with eating
fish every day is that they can
be full of heavy metals and
other toxins. (see
molecular distillation).
For people who do not like
fish, they can take a high
potency American made,
fish oil supplement to
boost their
omega-3 fatty acid levels.
The Mayo Clinic recommends two
3-ounce servings of fish twice a
week.
Omega-3 fatty acids
are of two major types:
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and
eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).
EPA
and
DHA can help lower bad
cholesterol, minimize the
consequences of high blood
pressure and even relieve
symptoms related to inflammatory
disorders like arthritis.
Given that the body cannot
produce omega-3 fatty acids on
its own, people must get their
omega-3 from the foods they eat.
This acquires importance because
it has been established that
omega-3 fatty acids help prevent
cardiovascular disease.
Why is there a close link
between omega-3 and
cardiovascular disease?
The Mayo Clinic explains that
omega-3 fatty acids help
decrease blood clots. Omega-3
fatty acids act as
anticoagulants by preventing
platelets to stick together.
Omega-3 also inhibits plaque
formation, keeping the arteries
smooth and clear of "debris"
which can be fatal to the heart.
Often times, if your doctor
agrees, just taking a
fish oil supplement can
substitute for taking a blood
thinner.
Heart disease can be caused
by any number of factors. For
instance, high levels of
triglycerides and LDL (low
density lipoprotein) put the
heart at risk. The role of
omega-3 fatty acids in this
case is to reduce the production
of these substances in the
liver.
People who do not like fish
can get their omega-3 by eating
foods such as walnuts,
flaxseeds, tofu and canola oil.
Of course the best
source of EPA and DHA is a fish
oil supplement.
The
American Heart Association
points out that taking fish oil
supplements can help increase
our omega-3. Caution must
be taken however when choosing a
fish oil supplement, as some of
them are not manufactured to the
highest standards. We recommend
Fundamental Omega 3.
One point to bear in mind
about omega-3 fatty acids is
that they are long chain fatty
acids which the body needs to
survive. Without EPA and DHA,
our brain and central nervous
system would be at risk, making
us vulnerable not only to
cardiovascular disease but also
to mental disorders like
depression and Alzheimer’s, and
ADHD. People with insufficient
omega-3 fatty acids are also
likely to develop diabetes,
arthritis, have high
cholesterol, high blood
pressure, and certain cancers.
Do not confuse omega-3 with
omega-6. Americans get too much
Omega-6 from our foods and that
throws the Omega 3 to Omega 6
balance way off.
If we have more omega-6
than omega-3, we expose
ourselves to serious health
problems. The amounts of omega-3
and omega-6 must be balanced.
Our efforts should be to
increase
our
omega-3
consumption to combat the
harmful effects caused by an
excess of omega-6 fats. A great
way to do this is with a very
good quality,
wild-caught fish oil supplement.
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